One of the challenges of transition is understanding how to exit one phase or stage of life and enter the next one. Jesus was tested in the wilderness while going into His ministry and tested even more in Gethsemane when transitioning out.
You are the most vulnerable during strategic times of transition.
There are 3 powerfully clarifying questions we’ve learned to use in times of transition:
- “WHO will I need to BE NOW, that I’ve never been before?”
And the next key question:
- “WHAT will I need to DO NOW that I’ve never done before?”
Which leads to the ultimate question: In light of who I need to be and what I need to do…
- “WHO will God be for me now that He has never been before? What aspect(s) of God do I need to draw upon?”
Now, what does this mean?
- You must tap into parts of yourself never previously developed. The moment you enter into a real transition, one in which the phase of your life is going to shift, you’ll really have to show up in a whole new way. This means tapping into everything you’ve ever learned and everything you’ve ever done. You’re exercising new muscles, new awareness; you’re exploring new space. It’s the extension of your authentic self. It’s your heavenly identity at a whole new level. It’s a place you’ve never been before. Give yourself permission to be uncomfortable.
- You will face opposition from spiritual forces. When you begin to step into your season of transition, the spiritual world will try to lock you up in the old pattern. This is like the children of Israel trying to cross over into the Promised Land. There was a very real demarcation between where they were and where they were going. Only after they made the shift would a new beginning unfold. What was it that inhibited that transition? It was the old habits that didn’t die in the wilderness! What was waiting for them? A land of prophetic promises; their Promised Land.
How does the devil attempt to hold you back from transition? He does this by imposing outside resistance from some source aligned with his evil intent. This could be political, legal, or even occultic. But this is not an easy option for the devil and requires a lot of resources. Satan would much rather have you self-disqualify. He will aim his arrows at you personally. He will bring up your history, your old patterns, old fears, and old iniquities. Sometimes the very people you need to avoid start crossing your path.
Jesus warned His disciples to “watch.” This word involves watching what is coming up in you as well as what is developing in the environment around you. He is sympathetic to your battle, which is why He told His disciples to pray because “the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak” (Matthew 26:41).
This could be translated as “Your spirit man wants to do the right thing but your emotions and your untrained senses will overpower your spirit. Your natural man is weak. Fail to pray and you’ll be frightened and intimidated and will want to run.”
Friends, let nothing keep you back from your transition! “Watch” what’s coming up in you and watch what’s going on around you!
Question: Are you entering into a new season? What are some tactics that the devil is using to block you from your Promised Land? What words of the Lord are you standing on for victory? Perhaps you were previously unaware, but now your eyes are open to the importance of being on your “watch.” Comment below!
As One!
Lance
Amazing all these teaching come at exactly the right time, just what I needed, who will God be for me now that he has never been before….thank you. I have been in a life’s transition since my husband died 3 years ago and have come a long way but I am always surprised by surprises and then surprised how I survived them truly by being on my knees. And then I get up dust myself off and then it starts all over again each time I am a little more accepting and ready….like a chess game, for the next move.
Much needed insight right now! Uncomfortable, yes. Enemy has been trying to lock me up in old patterns. I am fasting, praying in tongues, resting/soaking. I feel as if the Lord has directed me to pray protection over my words and how people hear my words. Thank you so much for this directive word!
Timely encouraging word . Yes I have beef called to be a part of a new church (2years) old . While I have bee with them since their beginnings I was a member at a large spirit filled church and I just recently transition under Gods leading and my former churches approval to become a member at my new church and serve there . Quite an adjustment but excited to be a part of a pioneering church not your typical way to do church as our pastor would say . Along with this has come many blessings and challenges simultaneously . In the last two months I’ve noticed Gid has been bringing much opportunity for serving others through him and greater effectiveness in doing so . My pastor says that is because God has increased my annoiting . But personal attacks toward me have been stronger also . One moment of being touched by Him or seeing another touched by Him through my life is worth it all though . He is so worthy !
yes!! 🙂 Let the Lord GUIDE you! Amen!! <3 🙂
Thank you, Lance. This word corresponds with al I got last time, through reading Bible or prophetic word. I know, where I am at the very moment, and WHY that all happens to me, my husband and kids.
Where I am, that I’ve never been before?
My spiritual senses are open, wide open : I smell, I see, I hear, I touch. Uncomfortable, yes. I don’t know, how to use it! Am I going crasy, of… is it normal? No one teached me before about such things.
Yes, I am a prophet. But… should I be a seener?? Wow…
What should I do, that I did not do before?
Connect with right people. Go Anna, go!
Tactics of the evil one? Oh, yeah… He gives me people, who seem PERFECT to me, it “clicks” between us immediatelly, but then… they occures to be… a Reiki master! No, thanks.
He uses my neighbours to fall me on my children issue. Yes, then I feel depleted, crashed, no hope, no sence of life, nonsence. The only thing is just sit and cry or commit suiside.
He got me today. So I know, my transition is at the door 🙂 Yes, I prayed .
P.S.
Sorry for my English, I am Dutch 😉
Blessings on you!! God will guide you! I’m praying for your direction as well as I’m praying for mine.
I’m entering a new season, one that the Enemy tried to bring forth prematurely, so that the vision, the dream, the assignment would be stillborn, but God kept His hand on me. All of the questions you posed are ones that I am meditating and praying about. One of the things the Enemy is trying to use to hinder me is infirmity. I’m standing on Isaiah 55:3 and 3 John 1:2. There are other things the Enemy is trying, but I can do all things through Christ (The Anointed One) who strengthens me. Pray for me.
This battle of finances. My business and home are crumbling before me.
God says my mercies are new everyday. Great is my faithfulness.
I am used to being alone. There is comfort in not having to be something for someone.
Iron sharpens iron. You must be a friend to have a friend.
God delights in the prosperity of his saints.
I want to shift from massage therapist to author, speaker, coach.
Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.
I needed to hear this so badly! I’ve been stuck in the same habits and self-defeating mindsets for years and have known that God wants to lead me out of them, but I have not known how to. Thank you!
Pam, glad this message hit home! Praying for hope to fill your heart and His guidance to lead you.
As God (and you!) have been faithful to do, you show up at critical times in my life to help guide, encourage, teach and motivate me. I became acquainted with you January 21, 2010 when I downloaded “21 Questions for 2010 That Will CHANGE Your LIFE”. A truer title was never written. I fed off those revelations for three years. My life was drastically changed!
Those battles won and ground taken (and kept), I am now in another transition time. It has been a real battle as I deal with the flesh and yet, I know what God has spoken. This landscape is different, although my God is the same. My reward is bigger. The fight is fiercer. But my determination is stronger and my faith is more solid around the Person of God that He has become for me. Onward and upward! I can’t thank you enough for your teachings and that you make them available to many of us who may never meet you in person. We (The Body) are out here and we love you!
you must be a genious,,if only my husband had your brain..seriously,,that was great as usual.
Dear Lance,
Thank you for posting this. It’s easier to be in the old place of comfort. Thank you for saying that I need to give myself permission to be uncomfortable. I also need to learn not to run ahead of God’s timing, not to force things but to follow His leading. I will take the mountain of my assignment. You are a blessing. May you continue to speak the word that gives life and that challenges the way we see things. God keep you in His protection and His presence.